(Wednesday, December 21, 2005) — Rock star Elton John and his longtime partner, David Furnish, held a civil union ceremony today in Windsor, England, the first day that same-sex partnerships became legal in Britain.

(Saturday, December 21, 1985) — “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for for four consecutive weeks (Dec. 21/28, Jan. 4/11, 1985). It was Richie’s fifth of final number one hits on the chart as a solo artist (1981-1985).

(Friday, December 21, 1945, 5:50 p.m. CET) — General George S. Patton Jr., one of the most vivid figures among Allied combat leaders in World War II, died today in Heidelberg, Germany, 12 days after being seriously injured in a car accident. Patton was 60.